PRO Service in the UAE: What It Covers and Do You Need One
A PRO handles your government paperwork: visas, MOHRE permits and licence renewals. See what it covers, how to check a provider and when you can skip one.
Read article →Insights from Qawi
Useful notes for company owners.
Clear explanations of the records, deadlines and decisions behind a well-run UAE business.
Cancel an Employee Visa in the UAE: Steps, Fees & Fines
How to cancel an employee's UAE visa: the MOHRE work permit step, the ICP residence step, AED 50 a day overstay fines and the grace periods.
Read article →Employee Left, Visa Not Cancelled? UAE Risks & Penalties
What happens if you don't cancel a UAE visa after an employee leaves: AED 50 a day overstay fines, AED 50,000 harbouring fines, and how to fix it.
Read article →Sponsor Family on a UAE Visa: Salary Rules, Documents & Fees
Who can sponsor family in the UAE, the AED 4,000 salary rule (or AED 3,000 plus housing), the documents, government fees and 48-hour processing time.
Read article →Sponsoring Parents in the UAE: Salary, Documents & Steps
Yes, UAE residents can sponsor parents. Dubai's GDRFA lists an AED 10,000 minimum salary, a one-year renewable permit and an AED 5,000 guarantee.
Read article →UAE Overstay Fines: AED 50 a Day, Grace Periods & Employers
UAE overstay fines are AED 50 per day once the grace period ends. See grace periods by visa type, how to pay the fine, and the risk for employers.
Read article →UAE Establishment Card: What It Is, Who Needs It & Cost
What a UAE establishment card is, why you need it before hiring, and the 2 day processing time, AED 100 ICP fees and AED 1,000 late renewal cap.
Read article →Free Zone Immigration Card: What It Is, Cost & How to Get One
What the immigration card for a UAE free zone company is, why visas need it first, and what it costs, with ICP's AED 100 fees and a 2 day timeline.
Read article →UAE Employee Medical Test & Emirates ID: Steps, Fees, Timeline
How a new UAE hire gets the residence medical test and Emirates ID: the tests, DHA's AED 250 regular fee, ICP's fee list and the 60-day deadline.
Read article →UAE Employee Visa Cost 2026: Itemised Government Fees
UAE employee visa cost in 2026: MOHRE work permit fees run AED 250 to AED 3,450, plus ICP residence, Emirates ID, insurance and medical charges.
Read article →UAE Employment Visa Processing Time: Stage-by-Stage Timeline
How long a UAE employment visa takes: 2 working days for the MOHRE work permit, 5 working days under the Work Bundle, and a 2-month entry window.
Read article →Abandoning a UAE Company: Penalties, Liability & How to Exit
Can you abandon a UAE company and leave? FTA penalties keep running: AED 1,000 a month for late deregistration, max AED 10,000. Here's the exit route.
Read article →Dormant Company in the UAE: Penalties, Costs & Closing It
A dormant UAE company still owes licence renewals, corporate tax returns and VAT filings. See the AED 10,000 and monthly penalties and how to close it.
Read article →Closing a UAE Company: What Happens to Employee Visas
Employee visas when you close a UAE company: cancel work permits first, then residence, pay dues within 14 days, and watch the 30 day grace period.
Read article →Employment Visa for a New Hire in the UAE: Steps and Costs
How to get an employment visa for a new hire in the UAE: MOHRE work permit, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID steps, plus fees from AED 250.
Read article →Make a UAE Company Dormant: Options, Duties & Closure
No federal dormant status exists for a UAE company. See what still applies, from the 9-month corporate tax return to VAT deregistration, and your options.
Read article →Closing a UAE Company: Liquidation, Tax and Visa Steps
How to close a UAE company properly: licence cancellation, liquidation, FTA deregistration within 3 months, and the AED 10,000 late penalty cap.
Read article →Closing a UAE Company: VAT & Corporate Tax Deregistration
Closing a UAE company? Apply to leave VAT within 30 business days and corporate tax within 3 months. See the AED 1,000 monthly penalty and the steps.
Read article →UAE Deregistration vs Liquidation: What Each Step Means
Liquidation ends the company; deregistration removes its licence and tax records. See the order of steps, the 3 month corporate tax deadline and penalties.
Read article →Company Liquidation in Dubai: How Long It Takes, Step by Step
A Dubai mainland liquidation has a 45 day creditor window; DMCC sets 6 or 12 months. See each stage and the FTA 3 month and 30 business day clocks.
Read article →UAE Company Document Attestation: Steps, Fees & Who Does What
How UAE company documents get attested: notary, then MoFA at AED 2,000 per commercial document, then the embassy if used abroad. Steps, fees and timing.
Read article →UAE Board Resolutions: What They Are and When You Need One
A board resolution records who approved a UAE company decision. See which body must sign, the 21-day notice rule and the three-quarters majority for LLCs.
Read article →Change a UAE Company Manager: Steps, Documents & Deadlines
How to change the manager of a UAE LLC: the 30-day notice to the licensing authority, FTA's 20-working-day update, and documents by authority.
Read article →How to Increase Share Capital in a UAE LLC: Steps & Fees
How to increase share capital in a UAE LLC: the three-quarters vote, DDA fees from AED 3,000, Dubai Economy charges, filing steps and 15-day deadlines.
Read article →Sole Establishment to LLC in the UAE: Can You Convert?
Yes, a UAE sole establishment can become an LLC, but it works as a business sale with a 90-day creditor window and tax steps. Here's the process.
Read article →Change Company Address in a UAE Free Zone: Steps and Deadlines
How to update your company address with a UAE free zone: documents, 1 to 2 day processing, and the 20 business day deadline to tell the FTA.
Read article →Adding an Activity to a UAE Trade Licence: Steps and Fees
How to add an activity to a UAE trade licence: where to apply, Dubai DET's AED 500 fee, approvals, JAFZA timing and what to update at the FTA.
Read article →Add or Remove a Shareholder in a UAE Company: Steps & Deadlines
How to add or remove a shareholder in a UAE company: the 30-day pre-emption window, the 15-day UBO update deadline, Dubai fees and the filing steps.
Read article →Changing Your Company Name on a UAE Trade Licence: Steps and Fees
How to change a company name on a UAE trade licence: DET's AED 500 amendment fee, DMCC's AED 4,515 name change fee and the FTA's 20 working day update rule.
Read article →Removing an Activity from a UAE Trade Licence: Steps and Fees
How to remove an activity from a UAE trade licence: Dubai DET's AED 500 request fee, JAFZA's 3 working day timing, SHAMS rules and the FTA 20 day update.
Read article →How to Transfer Shares in a UAE LLC: Steps, Fees & Tax
How to transfer shares in a UAE LLC: the 30-day first-refusal window, Dubai Economy fees from AED 500, the filing steps and how a share sale is taxed.
Read article →Expired Trade Licence Fines in Dubai: Mainland & Free Zones
Dubai mainland charges AED 250 for a late licence renewal and AED 5,000 for trading unlicensed; free zones like DMCC and Jafza set their own late fees.
Read article →Forgot to Renew Your UAE Trade Licence? Fines & Next Steps
What happens when a UAE trade licence expires: the AED 250 late-renewal fine, the AED 5,000 fine for trading unlicensed, and how to renew after expiry.
Read article →Free Zone Licence Renewal: Is an Audit Report Required?
Does your free zone licence renewal need an audit? IFZA wants audited accounts above AED 3 million turnover; corporate tax adds an AED 50 million test.
Read article →Renewing a UAE Trade Licence With Unpaid Fines: What to Expect
Do unpaid fines block a UAE trade licence renewal? See what Dubai's DET fine list shows, the AED 250 late renewal fine and what else can stall it.
Read article →Trade Licence Renewal in the UAE: Documents You Need
What to prepare for a UAE trade licence renewal: Dubai needs a RERA-registered tenancy contract; SHAMS can cancel a licence six months after expiry.
Read article →UAE Chamber of Commerce Registration: Who Must Join & How
Chamber membership follows most Dubai DET licences and is compulsory in Abu Dhabi. See who joins, the documents and fees from AED 300 to AED 2,200.
Read article →Dubai Unified Licence (DUL): What It Is and Who Needs It
The Dubai Unified Licence is a DET registry number and QR code for Dubai businesses. See who needs it, how to check yours and the AED 5,000 permit link.
Read article →Employer NOC for a Side Business in the UAE: Do You Need One?
Does your employer need to give an NOC for a UAE side business? See what Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 says, the 2-year non-compete cap and what to check.
Read article →Starting a UAE Company While Employed: What the Law Says
Can you set up a UAE company while employed? See what Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 says, the 2-year non-compete cap, NOC questions and the steps.
Read article →UAE Trade Licence Renewal: When to Renew, Deadlines & Fines
When to renew a UAE trade licence, and what a late renewal costs: AED 200 a month in Dubai mainland and AED 1,100 in SHAMS, plus how to renew.
Read article →How to Check a UAE Company Formation Agent Is Legit
Check a UAE company formation agent in 5 steps: licence search, licensed activity, FTA tax agent register, written scope and fees, and who does the work.
Read article →Dubai Licence Approvals: KHDA, DHA and Other Regulators
Which Dubai activities need KHDA, DHA or other regulator approval before you can operate, with the AED 50,000 KHDA permit fee and the order of steps.
Read article →Hidden Fees in UAE Company Formation Packages: What to Check
Are there hidden fees in UAE company formation packages? See which costs sit outside the quote, from AED 100 Emirates ID fees to a AED 10,000 tax penalty.
Read article →Questions to Ask a UAE Business Setup Consultant Before Paying
Ask these questions before paying a UAE business setup consultant: how to verify licences, itemise fees, and avoid an AED 10,000 corporate tax penalty.
Read article →Ongoing Costs of a UAE Company: What You Pay After Setup
What a UAE company pays each year after setup: renewals, visas, insurance, tax filings and the AED 10,000 late registration penalty, with sources.
Read article →Changing Free Zones in the UAE Without Closing Your Company
Can you change free zones without closing your UAE company? Yes, sometimes. Read the 15 Oct 2025 law, RAKEZ's AED 5,000 fees and the FTA 20 day rule.
Read article →Dual Licence in Dubai: What It Is, Cost & Who Qualifies
A dual licence lets a Dubai free zone company trade on the mainland. See the AED 5,000 permit, the AED 10,000 branch licence and the tax catch.
Read article →Free Zone Company Mainland Branch in Dubai: Rules, Fees, Tax
Can a free zone company open a mainland branch? Yes in Dubai since Resolution 11 of 2025: AED 10,000 a year, plus the corporate tax catch to know first.
Read article →Moving a Free Zone Company to the Mainland: Routes & Costs
Can a free zone company move to the UAE mainland? Compare re-domiciling, a Dubai branch at AED 10,000 a year, a AED 5,000 permit, or a new company.
Read article →UAE Visa Quota: How It's Calculated, Free Zone and Mainland
Visa quotas are set by your licensing authority. DMCC allows 1 visa per 9 sq m; MOHRE gives new mainland firms 3 work permits. See how each is worked out.
Read article →How Many Visas Can a UAE Free Zone Licence Get?
Free zone visa limits vary by zone, package and office size. DMCC allows up to 3 visas on a flexi desk; Meydan cites 0 to 6. See how to check yours.
Read article →Freelance Permit vs Company Licence for a UAE Solo Consultant
Freelance permit or company licence for a solo consultant in the UAE? Compare visas, hiring, bank access and the AED 1,000,000 corporate tax turnover line.
Read article →UAE Golden Visa for Business Owners: Routes & Requirements
UAE Golden Visa for business owners: the AED 2,000,000 investor route, the AED 1,000,000 revenue SME route, Dubai fees (AED 1,100) and how to apply.
Read article →UAE Investor Visa Through Your Company: Who Qualifies
Owning a stake in a UAE company can get you a self-sponsored investor or partner visa. See the AED 1,000,000 and AED 2,000,000 thresholds and the steps.
Read article →Offshore Company UAE Bank Account: What Banks Ask For
Can an offshore company open a UAE bank account? Yes, but the bank decides: see the 25% beneficial owner rule, documents banks ask for and the steps.
Read article →Foreign Company Owning a UAE Company: Rules and Documents
Yes, a foreign company can own a UAE LLC or free zone company. See which structures allow it, the documents needed and the 25% beneficial owner rule.
Read article →Multiple Shareholders in a UAE Free Zone Company: Rules & Steps
Yes, a free zone company can have several shareholders. See the caps (Meydan allows up to 50), documents each owner needs and how to add one.
Read article →RAK ICC vs JAFZA Offshore: Costs, Limits and Which to Pick
RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore? Compare official 2026 fees (AED 10,000 vs AED 3,250 to register), what each can't do, and how corporate tax applies.
Read article →Best Structure for a Family Business in the UAE
Compare an LLC, a registered family company and a family foundation for a UAE family business, plus the three-quarters approval rule for share sales.
Read article →UAE Holding Company Setup: Structures, Tax & Steps
How to set up a holding company in the UAE: ADGM, DIFC, mainland or free zone, the AED 4,000,000 participation test, SPV fees and the steps.
Read article →Ejari in Dubai: What It Is, What It Costs and When You Need It
Ejari is Dubai's tenancy contract registry. See who registers, the AED 177.75 online fee, and how it ties to your Dubai trade licence and its renewal.
Read article →Flexi Desk in the UAE: Does It Qualify You for Visas?
A flexi desk can support UAE visas, but the quota varies: DMCC allows up to 3 visas on a flexi desk. See how DMCC, IFZA, SHAMS and Meydan treat it.
Read article →UAE Company Share Capital: Minimums, Deposits & Free Zone Rules
How much share capital a UAE company needs: no federal LLC minimum, AED 50,000 at DMCC, no minimum at ADGM, and what to confirm with the authority.
Read article →UAE Memorandum of Association: What to Include and How to File
A UAE LLC's Memorandum of Association must be in Arabic, authenticated and registered. See what it must contain, the five-day rule and when to amend it.
Read article →UAE Share Capital Deposit: Must It Go Into a Bank?
Does UAE share capital have to be deposited in a bank? Mainland LLCs must pay it in full; DMCC gives 3 weeks after licence. IFZA and Meydan ask for none.
Read article →How Many Business Activities Can One UAE Licence Have?
How many activities fit on one UAE licence? SHAMS allows up to 5, IFZA up to 7, Meydan 3 groups included, and Dubai DET states no cap. Fees inside.
Read article →How to Choose Trade Licence Activities in the UAE
How to choose business activities for a UAE trade licence: DET's AED 500 amendment fee, SHAMS's five-activity cap, approvals, and the tax effect.
Read article →Can One UAE Licence Cover E-Commerce and Consulting?
Often yes: SHAMS allows up to 5 activities per licence and IFZA mixes commercial and professional ones. The free zone 5% de minimis test is the catch.
Read article →Do You Need a Physical Office for a UAE Trade Licence?
Does a UAE trade licence need a physical office? Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi rules, flexi desks, Ejari and the AED 850 Abu Dhabi virtual licence fee.
Read article →Dubai Trade Name Reservation: Rules, AED 620 Fee & Steps
How to reserve a trade name in Dubai: the AED 620 DET fee, naming rules, surcharges for special names, and how free zones handle names differently.
Read article →DIFC vs ADGM for Raising Investment: Fees, Law & Tax Catch
DIFC or ADGM for raising investor money? Compare common law courts, the USD 1,500 startup licences, ADGM's USD 5,800 set-up fee and the tax catch.
Read article →Documents to Register a UAE Company: Checklist by Entity Type
Documents needed to register a UAE company: passport copies, memorandum, lease and attestation rules, plus branch extras. Mainland takes about 4 days.
Read article →Free Zone Companies and Mainland Clients: What's Allowed
Can a free zone company sell to mainland clients? Dubai's AED 5,000 permit, the AED 10,000 branch route and the 5% tax limit that protects 0% status.
Read article →Set Up a UAE Company Remotely: What You Can Do From Abroad
Can you set up a UAE company without visiting? Licence and signing can be online; residence visa biometrics and bank checks may need a trip.
Read article →GCC Trade With a UAE Free Zone Licence: Duty, VAT & Limits
Can a UAE free zone licence trade across the GCC? See how 5% customs duty, the 90-day VAT export test and destination-country rules apply to shipments.
Read article →Is a DMCC Licence Worth It? Fees, Tax and When It Pays Off
A DMCC licence costs AED 20,265 a year before registration and visa fees. See the full first-year bill, when 0% tax applies and when DMCC isn't worth it.
Read article →Dubai Company Formation Time: Mainland vs Free Zone
How long Dubai company formation takes: 15 minutes on Basher, 4 days via a licensing department, plus visa steps, with official sources and caveats.
Read article →SHAMS Free Zone for Consulting: Licence, Visas & Tax Rules
Is SHAMS a good free zone for consulting? Up to 5 activities per licence, up to 50 visas, and the corporate tax trap on mainland client income.
Read article →SHAMS vs IFZA vs Meydan: Free Zone Costs, Visas & Tax
SHAMS vs IFZA vs Meydan compared on cost, visas, activities and tax. Meydan's solo licence is AED 15,000; SHAMS and IFZA don't publish fixed fees.
Read article →LLC vs Sole Establishment vs Branch in the UAE: Key Differences
Compare a UAE LLC, sole establishment and foreign branch on liability, ownership and tax, including the AED 1,000,000 turnover test for individuals.
Read article →UAE Activities That Still Need an Emirati Partner or Agent
Most UAE mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, but security, banking, commercial agencies and professional licences still need a UAE national.
Read article →100% Foreign Ownership of a UAE Mainland Company: The Rules
Most UAE mainland companies can now be 100% foreign owned under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, except Cabinet-listed strategic activities.
Read article →Dubai Company Setup Cost: Licence, Visas and All-In Price
There's no single fixed price to open a UAE company. See what free zone and mainland licences, visas, medical tests and Emirates ID actually cost.
Read article →Cheapest UAE Free Zone in 2026: Real Prices Compared
Ajman Free Zone publishes the lowest verified UAE free zone price at AED 4,888. See what six free zones actually charge and what's left out.
Read article →UAE Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Should You Choose?
Mainland lets you trade UAE-wide with 100% foreign ownership on most activities; free zone caps mainland access but skips the local agent. Full comparison.
Read article →How to Set Up a Company in the UAE as a Foreigner
How foreigners set up a UAE company: 100% ownership rules, mainland vs free zone, the registration steps, documents and typical timelines to get licensed.
Read article →